ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Men's Basketball team defeated Marywood University in the First Round of the Atlantic East Tournament on Tuesday night by a final score of 84-66.
 
Jayson Love led the Knights with 20 points while Bryan Etienne had 19. Donte Dupriest added 19 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double. Izaiah Johnson Young-El contributed 13 points.
 
The Knights got off to a fast start with a 7-2 lead after 2:10. Marywood followed right back with a 6-0 run for an 8-7 lead just 80 seconds later. This was the trend early on. Every time a team would go on a run, the other would respond. Neumann would pull ahead at 20-13 with 11:25 left in the half and the Pacers would score nine of the next 11 points, pulling even at 22. With seven minutes left, the Knights trailed 29-26 but they dominated the rest if the half with an 18-3 run for a 44-32 halftime edge.
 
Neumann raced out to an 11-4 run over the first five minutes of the second half for a 19-point lead. The Pacers did not give up as they scored 13 of 18 to get within 11, but they didn't threaten again as a 13-3 push iced the game.
 
With tonight's win, Neumann (17-9) advances to the Atlantic East Tournament semifinals against top-seeded Marymount University on Thursday. Tip-off from Arlington, Va. is scheduled for 8:00 PM.